a bit about our style of accommodation
Our accommodation is a little different to most – we sit somewhere between a bed & breakfast and a formal hotel. I guess you could call us boutique self-service cottages!
Our aim is to take the cold and stuffiness out of hotel accommodation and breathe a very homely, stylish and welcoming feel into our cottages, without being in our guests face like old-school bed & breakfast stays!
We own and run 4 properties, so we cannot be everywhere at once unfortunately – but it has made us a little creative and innovative in how to streamline our processes and ensure your stay is very smooth, even without us being present…and at the end of the day…it is great on your pocket in terms of lower pricing being passed on to our wonderful guests! Basically it allows our guests to be able to stay in our grand historic properties at extremely affordable prices!
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to give you a better understanding and a better feel for what we are all about, and the different options you have that are available as part of your stay with us.
Want a little more love? Why not try our Deluxe Rate with all those added extras! See more details below!
Our aim is to take the cold and stuffiness out of hotel accommodation and breathe a very homely, stylish and welcoming feel into our cottages, without being in our guests face like old-school bed & breakfast stays!
We own and run 4 properties, so we cannot be everywhere at once unfortunately – but it has made us a little creative and innovative in how to streamline our processes and ensure your stay is very smooth, even without us being present…and at the end of the day…it is great on your pocket in terms of lower pricing being passed on to our wonderful guests! Basically it allows our guests to be able to stay in our grand historic properties at extremely affordable prices!
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to give you a better understanding and a better feel for what we are all about, and the different options you have that are available as part of your stay with us.
Want a little more love? Why not try our Deluxe Rate with all those added extras! See more details below!
Questions about your upcoming stay with us
What time is check-in?
Check-in is available from 3pm - for details on early check-in options, please see further below.
What time is check-out?
Check-out is strictly by 11am - for details on late check-out, please see further below.
How do I check-in?
If you have booked more than 24 hours prior to your arrival, your self check-in details will be emailed to you at the time of booking. On arrival, just follow the signs to reception where you will find everything you need to know to check-in.
If you have booked last-minute you will receive a text message and email with special self-check-in details.
Can I bring my pet?
The previous owners of Alice’s Cottages had a “pet friendly” policy – unfortunately since taking over, we have had to remove this policy and we no longer welcome pets. We have a couple of reasons for this:
Is there parking on-site?
Yes there is - and it is free!
Is there wi-fi at your properties?
Yes there is - and it is free!
Can I have a late check-out?
We have streamlined our check-in and check-out processes to be as efficient as possible in the changeover from outgoing to incoming guests – and any cost saving means better pricing for our guests! We directly incur additional cleaning and administration costs for late check-outs, as it throws our system out of whack in terms of our order of cleaning and waiting times each day with our cleaners on site, etc.
If you would still really like a later check-out, we are able to provide this service for an additional $50 and it needs to be arranged at least 24 hours prior to your stay. Or perhaps our Deluxe Rate would be of interest to you. We would be happy to upgrade you – please refer to our Deluxe Rate information below for more details.
Can I have an early check-in?
We have streamlined our check-in and check-out processes to be as efficient as possible in the changeover from outgoing to incoming guests – and any cost saving means better pricing for our guests! We directly incur additional cleaning costs for putting your room ahead of the rest of the rooms in the house – when sometimes it is not the most efficient order of conducting our check-out cleans, there are also additional administration costs for needing to ensure someone is on-site earlier than our standard check-in time, to ensure your key and check-in notes are ready ahead of the usual schedule.
If you would still really like an earlier check-in, we are able to provide this service for an additional $50 and it needs to be arranged at least 24 hours prior to your stay. Or perhaps our Deluxe Rate would be of interest to you. We would be happy to upgrade you – please refer to our Deluxe Rate information below for more details.
Can I drop off my bags early?
We offer a free self-service bag drop option in the form of a padlock and chain to be able to secure your bags in a covered area of your choosing on the property. Please let us know if you would like to avail of this option and we can provide further details. Please note we do not accept responsibility for your belongings if you choose this option. Unfortunately as we do not man our reception at all hours, for us to arrange a personalised bag drop, we incur additional costs to ensure staff are on site at the right time, and hence a call out fee of $50 will apply if you need to drop bags early and do not want to avail of the self-service option.
This service is included as part of our Deluxe Rate – please refer below for more info.
My room rate is so cheap, why should I have to pay so much for a simple extra like a bag drop or an early check in?
We are able to offer extremely affordable prices for our accommodation provided you are able to fit within the standard parameters, as all of our processes have been streamlined for maximum efficiency around these standard daily procedures. If you require special treatment we have to deviate from these standard procedures which cause inefficiencies in our processes and results in direct additional labour costs. As we operate on extremely tight margins, we are unable to absorb these additional costs ourselves and hence the requirement to pass them on to you. However if you do fit within the standard procedures (which is quite easy to do and what most of our guests actually want) then you can be assured a comfortable, clean, cosy cottage and a great stay for an even better price!
If you are wanting to feel some extra love from the Alice's Cottages Team and have all the added extras as part of your stay – refer to our Deluxe Rate below.
What is this Deluxe Rate I keep hearing about?
If you are looking for more luxuries as part of your stay with us, we have a Deluxe Rate that you can choose for your stay. As part of your stay under this rate you will receive all the added extras to make your stay with us even more luxurious and memorable:
My plans have changed and I can’t stay at your property anymore. Can I get a refund?
Flexible Rate
Our flexible rate is fully refundable up until 7 days prior to your stay – so if you require to cancel your stay before this 7 day window then it is 100% refundable and we can provide your refund within 3 business days. If you are within the 7 days non-refundable period – unfortunately we cannot refund your stay. If you are having hesitations about booking and worrying that you may need to cancel within 7 days of your stay – we suggest that you obtain travel insurance to cover yourself. We are a small business and cannot afford to lose booking within a week of our guests stay, as it can be quite difficult to have them re-booked so close to the date.
Deluxe Rate
If you are booked under our Deluxe rate, your payment is 100% refundable up until 7 days prior to your stay and 50% refundable if cancelled during the 7 days leading up to your reservation.
I’ve had an emergency and can no longer stay at your property. Can I get a refund on compassionate grounds?
We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance when booking your trip that involves accommodation, especially if you have booked a discounted non-refundable rate. Please also note that all our room rates become non-refundable within 7 days of check in.
Unfortunately as we are a small family business, we are unable to absorb the losses that result from your emergency ourselves. We do understand though that things can happen that are out of our control, and on this basis, if we receive a polite request from guests who have suffered from a last minute emergency, the best process is to cancel your booking immediately and let us know of the situation. This will free up our calendar and allow us to have a chance to re-book your room.
If your room gets re-booked we may be able to offer a 50% refund depending on the circumstances. While we understand that some emergencies cannot be helped, we also hope that you can understand that as a small business, we cannot afford to wear the losses associated with an emergency which is totally outside of our control as well. We will always do our best to try to make the situation as painless as possible for you.
Will I be subject to any additional charges upon checkout?
We totally understand…accidents happen, or you may be in a rush! However, as we operate on such small margins, we cannot afford to absorb the additional costs that arise from these accidents and other certain instances. For this purpose, we have developed a policy for additional charges where there is a direct cost to us that was not factored into your room rate.
These policies and the associated costs include:
- failure to do dishes -> $20
- Smoking in room -> $100-$500 depending on severity of impact
- Failure to check-out by check-out time -> $25 per 1 hour block or part thereof.
- Failure to return / lost keys -> $50
- Breakages or damage to room -> $50 administration fee plus cost to repair or replace item
- Call out fee for after hours non-emergencies -> $50
What is in the Breakfast Basket?
Our Breakfast Baskets consist of:
What activities do you recommend doing around town?
We have prepared extensive information on all of our top pick of things to do in Tassie – this info can be found in your in-room Welcome Folder. It is also on our website so you can refer back to it anytime! Our top things!
Where do you recommend for dinner?
We have devoted an entire page on our favourite restaurants – please have a browse through your in-room Welcome Folder for lots of info.
What are your reception hours?
We do not man our reception at all hours of the day. We are usually busy, popping from one property to the next, getting everything ready for the daily check-ins. All stays are pre-paid and are self-check-in. We have a Guest Messaging service for any questions or issues that you may have during your stay. Please send a message to our Guest Messaging Hotline on 0417 607 585 – please note that we may be slower to respond after 5pm as we are at home with our families.
I’m checking out very early, will this be a problem?
No problem at all! We have a sign by every door that tells you where to leave your key at check-out. Your stay is all pre-paid so there is no need to “fix-up” any bills on your way out.
I’m checking in very late, will this be a problem?
No problem at all! Our properties are all self-check-in so you can arrive at any time that suits, and you will have easy access to your key and welcome instructions.
Do you have a laundry on site?
Yes we do – please refer to the first few pages of your in-room welcome folder for the location information.
I’m locked out of my room or I’ve lost my key. How can I get in?
Please be extremely careful with your keys, as they are expensive to replace and as we don’t live on-site, if we have to send someone to let you in we incur a direct call-out fee and administration time which we will have to pass on to you. This fee is currently $50. Most of the time it’s an easy fix if we are on-site or nearby so we can waive this fee, but if it occurs after hours or while we are not around then unfortunately we will have to pass this cost onto you. It may take us up to an hour to resolve this situation if we are not onsite, so please be patient, and contact us via the Guest Messaging Hotline 0417 607 585 or ring the front video doorbell 3 times if you have locked your phone inside.
I forgot some belongings when I checked-out. How much do you charge to post it on to me?
We have reminders by the doors to ensure you do not forget your items. As we operate on small margins we cannot absorb the cost of postage ourselves if you leave something behind. We can hold the items in our lost property and allow you to collect them free of charge, however if this is not possible and you require it to be sent on, we will charge the cost of postage as well as a $20 administration charge to cover the loss of productivity and/or extra labour costs for our staff. Please try to avoid this by ensuring you take all your belongings with you upon checkout!
Taxi
Please refer to the front information pages in your in-room Welcome Folder for local taxi services in the area. There is also a whole host of services listed such as, supermarkets, church, hospital, etc.
Uber
Uber operates in SOME parts of Tassie – we have Uber in Launceston, but not yet in Burnie sorry!
Shuttle
There is an airport shuttle service – please phone 0437 131 008 to make a booking to or from the airport.
Hire cars
Unfortunately we do not have any recommendations on car hire places. Please use Mr Google, we would only be googling it ourselves! And if you do have any recommendations – we would LOVE to hear them!
Check-in is available from 3pm - for details on early check-in options, please see further below.
What time is check-out?
Check-out is strictly by 11am - for details on late check-out, please see further below.
How do I check-in?
If you have booked more than 24 hours prior to your arrival, your self check-in details will be emailed to you at the time of booking. On arrival, just follow the signs to reception where you will find everything you need to know to check-in.
If you have booked last-minute you will receive a text message and email with special self-check-in details.
Can I bring my pet?
The previous owners of Alice’s Cottages had a “pet friendly” policy – unfortunately since taking over, we have had to remove this policy and we no longer welcome pets. We have a couple of reasons for this:
- We have dropped our rates considerably since taking over, so cannot absorb the additional cleaning costs associated with removing pet smells and hair, etc for our next guests;
- We have put new carpets into most of our cottages and plan to upgrade the remainder in the very near future; and
- We have had some cases of pets being left in the cottages without the owner present through the day and this has resulted in further cleaning costs associated to remove the smell from the damages occurring from pet neglect and wear and tear on furniture, to get ready for our next guests.
Is there parking on-site?
Yes there is - and it is free!
Is there wi-fi at your properties?
Yes there is - and it is free!
Can I have a late check-out?
We have streamlined our check-in and check-out processes to be as efficient as possible in the changeover from outgoing to incoming guests – and any cost saving means better pricing for our guests! We directly incur additional cleaning and administration costs for late check-outs, as it throws our system out of whack in terms of our order of cleaning and waiting times each day with our cleaners on site, etc.
If you would still really like a later check-out, we are able to provide this service for an additional $50 and it needs to be arranged at least 24 hours prior to your stay. Or perhaps our Deluxe Rate would be of interest to you. We would be happy to upgrade you – please refer to our Deluxe Rate information below for more details.
Can I have an early check-in?
We have streamlined our check-in and check-out processes to be as efficient as possible in the changeover from outgoing to incoming guests – and any cost saving means better pricing for our guests! We directly incur additional cleaning costs for putting your room ahead of the rest of the rooms in the house – when sometimes it is not the most efficient order of conducting our check-out cleans, there are also additional administration costs for needing to ensure someone is on-site earlier than our standard check-in time, to ensure your key and check-in notes are ready ahead of the usual schedule.
If you would still really like an earlier check-in, we are able to provide this service for an additional $50 and it needs to be arranged at least 24 hours prior to your stay. Or perhaps our Deluxe Rate would be of interest to you. We would be happy to upgrade you – please refer to our Deluxe Rate information below for more details.
Can I drop off my bags early?
We offer a free self-service bag drop option in the form of a padlock and chain to be able to secure your bags in a covered area of your choosing on the property. Please let us know if you would like to avail of this option and we can provide further details. Please note we do not accept responsibility for your belongings if you choose this option. Unfortunately as we do not man our reception at all hours, for us to arrange a personalised bag drop, we incur additional costs to ensure staff are on site at the right time, and hence a call out fee of $50 will apply if you need to drop bags early and do not want to avail of the self-service option.
This service is included as part of our Deluxe Rate – please refer below for more info.
My room rate is so cheap, why should I have to pay so much for a simple extra like a bag drop or an early check in?
We are able to offer extremely affordable prices for our accommodation provided you are able to fit within the standard parameters, as all of our processes have been streamlined for maximum efficiency around these standard daily procedures. If you require special treatment we have to deviate from these standard procedures which cause inefficiencies in our processes and results in direct additional labour costs. As we operate on extremely tight margins, we are unable to absorb these additional costs ourselves and hence the requirement to pass them on to you. However if you do fit within the standard procedures (which is quite easy to do and what most of our guests actually want) then you can be assured a comfortable, clean, cosy cottage and a great stay for an even better price!
If you are wanting to feel some extra love from the Alice's Cottages Team and have all the added extras as part of your stay – refer to our Deluxe Rate below.
What is this Deluxe Rate I keep hearing about?
If you are looking for more luxuries as part of your stay with us, we have a Deluxe Rate that you can choose for your stay. As part of your stay under this rate you will receive all the added extras to make your stay with us even more luxurious and memorable:
- Early check-in (midday)
- Late check-out (midday)
- Early bag drop
- Daily wood top ups
- Complimentary bottle of Tassie wine
- Daily housekeeping – we’ll neaten your bed and provide fresh towels, empty your bins
- More flexible cancellation policy – Fully refundable up until 7 days prior to your stay, 50% refundable within the 7 days prior to your stay.
My plans have changed and I can’t stay at your property anymore. Can I get a refund?
Flexible Rate
Our flexible rate is fully refundable up until 7 days prior to your stay – so if you require to cancel your stay before this 7 day window then it is 100% refundable and we can provide your refund within 3 business days. If you are within the 7 days non-refundable period – unfortunately we cannot refund your stay. If you are having hesitations about booking and worrying that you may need to cancel within 7 days of your stay – we suggest that you obtain travel insurance to cover yourself. We are a small business and cannot afford to lose booking within a week of our guests stay, as it can be quite difficult to have them re-booked so close to the date.
Deluxe Rate
If you are booked under our Deluxe rate, your payment is 100% refundable up until 7 days prior to your stay and 50% refundable if cancelled during the 7 days leading up to your reservation.
I’ve had an emergency and can no longer stay at your property. Can I get a refund on compassionate grounds?
We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance when booking your trip that involves accommodation, especially if you have booked a discounted non-refundable rate. Please also note that all our room rates become non-refundable within 7 days of check in.
Unfortunately as we are a small family business, we are unable to absorb the losses that result from your emergency ourselves. We do understand though that things can happen that are out of our control, and on this basis, if we receive a polite request from guests who have suffered from a last minute emergency, the best process is to cancel your booking immediately and let us know of the situation. This will free up our calendar and allow us to have a chance to re-book your room.
If your room gets re-booked we may be able to offer a 50% refund depending on the circumstances. While we understand that some emergencies cannot be helped, we also hope that you can understand that as a small business, we cannot afford to wear the losses associated with an emergency which is totally outside of our control as well. We will always do our best to try to make the situation as painless as possible for you.
Will I be subject to any additional charges upon checkout?
We totally understand…accidents happen, or you may be in a rush! However, as we operate on such small margins, we cannot afford to absorb the additional costs that arise from these accidents and other certain instances. For this purpose, we have developed a policy for additional charges where there is a direct cost to us that was not factored into your room rate.
These policies and the associated costs include:
- failure to do dishes -> $20
- Smoking in room -> $100-$500 depending on severity of impact
- Failure to check-out by check-out time -> $25 per 1 hour block or part thereof.
- Failure to return / lost keys -> $50
- Breakages or damage to room -> $50 administration fee plus cost to repair or replace item
- Call out fee for after hours non-emergencies -> $50
What is in the Breakfast Basket?
Our Breakfast Baskets consist of:
- 2 x Fresh Full Cream Milk
- 1 x Apple Juice + 1 x Orange Juice
- 4 x Slices of Bread
- Butter + Spreads (Vegemite, Peanut Butter, Strawberry & Apricot Jam, Honey)
- 4 x Eggs
- 2 x Toasted Muesli
- 2 x Greek Yogurt
- 2 x Pieces of Bacon
What activities do you recommend doing around town?
We have prepared extensive information on all of our top pick of things to do in Tassie – this info can be found in your in-room Welcome Folder. It is also on our website so you can refer back to it anytime! Our top things!
Where do you recommend for dinner?
We have devoted an entire page on our favourite restaurants – please have a browse through your in-room Welcome Folder for lots of info.
What are your reception hours?
We do not man our reception at all hours of the day. We are usually busy, popping from one property to the next, getting everything ready for the daily check-ins. All stays are pre-paid and are self-check-in. We have a Guest Messaging service for any questions or issues that you may have during your stay. Please send a message to our Guest Messaging Hotline on 0417 607 585 – please note that we may be slower to respond after 5pm as we are at home with our families.
I’m checking out very early, will this be a problem?
No problem at all! We have a sign by every door that tells you where to leave your key at check-out. Your stay is all pre-paid so there is no need to “fix-up” any bills on your way out.
I’m checking in very late, will this be a problem?
No problem at all! Our properties are all self-check-in so you can arrive at any time that suits, and you will have easy access to your key and welcome instructions.
Do you have a laundry on site?
Yes we do – please refer to the first few pages of your in-room welcome folder for the location information.
I’m locked out of my room or I’ve lost my key. How can I get in?
Please be extremely careful with your keys, as they are expensive to replace and as we don’t live on-site, if we have to send someone to let you in we incur a direct call-out fee and administration time which we will have to pass on to you. This fee is currently $50. Most of the time it’s an easy fix if we are on-site or nearby so we can waive this fee, but if it occurs after hours or while we are not around then unfortunately we will have to pass this cost onto you. It may take us up to an hour to resolve this situation if we are not onsite, so please be patient, and contact us via the Guest Messaging Hotline 0417 607 585 or ring the front video doorbell 3 times if you have locked your phone inside.
I forgot some belongings when I checked-out. How much do you charge to post it on to me?
We have reminders by the doors to ensure you do not forget your items. As we operate on small margins we cannot absorb the cost of postage ourselves if you leave something behind. We can hold the items in our lost property and allow you to collect them free of charge, however if this is not possible and you require it to be sent on, we will charge the cost of postage as well as a $20 administration charge to cover the loss of productivity and/or extra labour costs for our staff. Please try to avoid this by ensuring you take all your belongings with you upon checkout!
Taxi
Please refer to the front information pages in your in-room Welcome Folder for local taxi services in the area. There is also a whole host of services listed such as, supermarkets, church, hospital, etc.
Uber
Uber operates in SOME parts of Tassie – we have Uber in Launceston, but not yet in Burnie sorry!
Shuttle
There is an airport shuttle service – please phone 0437 131 008 to make a booking to or from the airport.
Hire cars
Unfortunately we do not have any recommendations on car hire places. Please use Mr Google, we would only be googling it ourselves! And if you do have any recommendations – we would LOVE to hear them!
